Dorothy "Dot" Shoaf

­­­Dorothy “Dot” Shoaf, 93, widow of H. E. “Nick” Shoaf, passed away Friday, May 20 after a period of declining health.  She led a full life and cherished a multitude of friends and experiences.

Dorothy Vera Steedman was born in Asheville, September 1, 1928 to Francis C. and Madge Cunningham Steedman.  “Dot” grew up in old Asheville’s Montford Heights and graduated from Lee H. Edwards High School at age 16. With a love for learning and a strong acumen for study, she attended Greensboro College on a scholarship awarded for her work as a youth with the Western NC Methodist Conference. She attained a B.A. with honors in Religious Education and English in 1949.  Dot stayed involved with the College’s clubs, activities and events, was honor­­­ed with the Alumni Excellence Award and became an Emeritus member of the Alumni Association Board.

Dot and Nick married on July 15, 1950 at Central Methodist Church in Asheville and moved to Winston-Salem where Nick worked with Duke Power Company. Their marriage lasted nearly 66 years until Nick’s death in 2016. Dot’s strong soprano voice matched her strong faith and devout service to the Methodist Church throughout her life, at Central during her childhood and youth, Centenary Methodist Church in Winston-Salem during the 1950s and 60s, and for over fifty years at Trinity United Methodist Church in Durham, where she served on the Board and many committees as long as she was able. 

After she and Nick raised their family, Dot worked at the Durham County Board of Elections while attending night school to earn a paralegal degree at Durham Tech, graduating again with honors.  She then became Administrative Assistant to the District Attorney of Durham County, a position she held through several DA’s tenures. Dot was also a practicing Notary Public for four decades.   After retiring, she returned part-time to the Board of Elections and fully retired after over 40 years of service.  Dot then travelled extensively, in overseas missions through Trinity Church, a fun-filled trip to Australia with Nick and family in 2001, and cross-country “Americana” road trips with Nick.

Dot’s interests in community service included the Watts Hospital Auxiliary, Life Membership of the Durham County General Hospital Auxiliary, long-standing membership in the Red Bud Garden Club, Durham Woman’s Club, United Methodist Women, and many others. “Momma Dot” enjoyed helping others, especially young people pursuing lofty goals. She was a friend and mentor to many. 

A true Southern lady, Dot had a special grace and charm, tempered by her mountain roots.  Her welcoming smile and genuine interest in others were a warm greeting to whomever she met.  She was a loving mother to her four children and as a team she and Nick motivated them to pursue their personal passions and interests, often quipping that they became North, South, East and West, with home as the center of the compass.  Along with lifelong learning and service to others, supporting her family and exploring her faith were Dot’s key passions.  She did her best to put something positive into everything she did for kinfolk, friends, and strangers alike.

Dot was predeceased by her parents, her husband Nick, a teen grandson Ryan Shoaf, and son-in-law Randy Currin.  She is survived by her sister, Norma Steedman Dellinger; daughters Sandra Shoaf Currin and Dr. Sarah Shoaf (Alan Miller); sons Richard Shoaf (Kathy) and Robert Shoaf.  She is also survived by her grandchildren David Currin (Dawn), Wesley Shoaf (Becky), Amanda Shoaf Morrison (Sean), and four great-grandchildren, William, Piper, Augustus and Wallace Shoaf; niece Kelly Dellinger Rice (Roger) and nephew Stanley Dellinger (Margaret); and several beloved cousins, grandnieces, grandnephews, and great-grands!  What a legacy to leave.  “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

We will celebrate Dot’s extraordinary life at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 11 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Durham with Rev. Gray Southern officiating. A visitation reception will be held in the church parlor following the memorial service. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Allred-Shoaf  ChristCare Group.  Special thanks to all the members of Trinity UMC;  Liz and Reggie Allred, Linda Delbridge, and Linda Wilson; Claudia and Raymond Joyner, the Trinity Prayer Group, and so many other church and community friends; Dr. John Kihm and staff; and Dot’s beloved friend, companion and caregiver Margaret Seeman Zak.  In lieu of flowers, pleased consider memorials to the H. E. and Dorothy Steedman Shoaf Scholarship Fund at Greensboro College or the Trinity Church Columbarium Fund.